Interconnection seal

ABSTRACT

A seal for a cable and connector interconnection includes a unitary elastic body with a bore therethrough. The bore is provided with a cable outer diameter seal portion at a cable end, the cable outer diameter seal portion adjacent a connector cavity portion, the connector cavity portion adjacent a coupling nut cavity portion, and the coupling nut cavity portion adjacent a connector neck seal portion with a bulkhead seal at a connector end. The coupling nut cavity portion is longitudinally aligned with a coupling nut of the connector and is provided with a greater inner diameter than the cable outer diameter seal portion and the connector neck seal portion. The bulk head seal is provided with an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the connector neck seal portion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application and claimspriority from and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/477,626, filed Apr. 3, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,164,419, which is acontinuation application of and claims priority from and the benefit ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/938,475, filed Jul. 10, 2013, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,616,602, the disclosure of each of which is herebyincorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for environmentally sealing andsecuring the interconnection between cables and/or apparatus, forexample between feed and/or control cables interconnected with anapparatus or enclosure.

Description of Related Art

Electrical interconnections are subject to degradation fromenvironmental factors such as moisture, vibration and repeated expansionand contraction from daily temperature changes.

Environmental seals, such as outer sealing enclosures that surround anelectrical interconnection, have been used, for example, to surround acable end connector to cable end connector interconnection.

The prior enclosures typically apply rigid clamshell configurationswhich, once closed, may be difficult to open, especially when installedin exposed locations such as atop radio towers. Gaskets may be appliedat the enclosure ends and/or along a sealing perimeter of the shell. Gelseals are typically not re-usable and/or have only a limited number ofre-uses before they must be replaced.

Connections to an apparatus, such as an antenna, are typically made to aconnector body or other connection assembly mounted to an exteriorsurface of the antenna. Because the connector body or other connectionassembly is typically a bulkhead type, flush against a surface, acable-to-cable interconnection sealing assembly that tapers at eitherend to the same cable diameter is unusable.

Elastic body interconnection seals are also known. For example, U.S.Utility Pat. No. 6,429,373, titled “Multipurpose Flexible Cable Boot forEnclosing Trunk and Feeder Cable Connectors”, issued 6 Aug. 2002,discloses a seal of flexible material, with a connector end shoulderwith a seal ring portion dimensioned to seal against a cylindricalconnection point of an apparatus. However, the seal ring has minimallongitudinal extent for sealing contact with the apparatus and the sealis dimensioned to enclose the connector within a cylindrical cavitydimensioned with respect to the largest diameter of the connector,forming a significant enclosed area for moisture to pool within, shouldleakage occur.

U.S. Utility Pat. No. 7,453,042, titled “Cable and ApparatusInterconnection Close Quarters Environmental Seal”, issued 18 Nov. 2008,discloses a seal with a unitary rubber and/or elastomer body cylindricalgasket with a C-shaped outer shell closed by an additional retainingmeans. The interconnection may be placed into the outer shell and theouter shell then sealed around it, via the retaining means. Such aconfiguration enables sealing along neck portions of standardizedconnection interfaces. However, the seal area along the periphery of theC-shaped body is extensive, which may degrade the long term performanceof the resulting seal.

Competition within the electrical interface environmental seal industryhas focused attention on reliability, re-usability, ease of use,improved temperature range capabilities and overall reductions inmanufacturing and installation costs.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a device thatovercomes deficiencies in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention,where like reference numbers in the drawing figures refer to the samefeature or element and may not be described in detail for every drawingfigure in which they appear and, together with a general description ofthe invention given above, and the detailed description of theembodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of an exemplary interconnectionseal.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the interconnection seal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric view of an alternative embodiment of aninterconnection seal.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cable end view of the interconnection seal of FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the interconnection seal of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic isometric view of another alternative embodimentof an interconnection seal, with a grip rib extending between the cableand connector ends of the interconnection seal.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the interconnection seal of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic connector end view of the interconnection seal ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cut-away view of the interconnection seal of FIG.7, mounted upon a bulkhead and connector terminated cableinterconnection, taken along line A-A of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic isometric view of another alternative embodimentof an interconnection seal, with a plurality of grip tabs.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the interconnection seal of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cable end view of the interconnection seal ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cut-away view of the interconnection seal of FIG.11, mounted upon a bulkhead and connector terminated cableinterconnection.

FIG. 14 is a schematic isometric view of another alternative embodimentof an interconnection seal, with a plurality of grip tabs.

FIG. 15 is a schematic connector end view of the interconnection seal ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of the interconnection seal of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a schematic isometric view of another alternative embodimentof an interconnection seal, with a plurality of grip ribs and grip tabs.

FIG. 18 is a schematic connector end view of the interconnection seal ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a schematic side view of the interconnection seal of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown for example in FIGS. 1-19, a seal has a unitary elastic body 3with a bore 5 therethrough. Sequenced from a cable end 7 to a connectorend 9, the bore 5 has: (a) a cable outer diameter seal portion 11 at thecable end 7; (b) the cable outer diameter seal portion 11 adjacent aconnector cavity portion 13; (c) the connector cavity portion 13adjacent a coupling nut cavity portion 15; (d) the coupling nut cavityportion 15 adjacent a connector neck seal portion 17 and (e) a bulkheadseal adjacent the connector neck seal portion 17, at the connector end9.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that cable end 7 and connectorend 9 are provided as position references for both the interconnectionand individual elements of the connector and seal portions along alongitudinal axis of the interconnection 10. Therefore, each elementidentified has both a cable end 7 and a connector end 9, these being thesides of each element closest to the cable end 7 and the connector end 9of the interconnection 10, along the longitudinal axis of theinterconnection 10.

The connector neck seal portion 17 is configured to seal against theneck portion 21 of the connector interface 23, for example, that acoupling nut 25 of the connector 19 is threaded upon. The connectorinterface 23 may be provided as a bulkhead type connection point, asshown for example in FIGS. 9 and 13, which includes a bulkhead surface22 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connection interface 23.The coupling nut cavity portion 15 is provided with a greater innerdiameter than the connector neck seal portion 17. Thereby, the couplingnut cavity portion 15 can surround the coupling nut 25 and the connectorneck seal portion 17 can engage and seal against the neck 21 of theselected connector interface 23, without requiring a non-standardconnection interface with an increased connector neck diameter.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the connector neck sealportion 17, extending between the coupling nut 25 and the bulkheadsurface 22, provides an extended surface for the connector neck sealportion 17 to seal against, which may improve the resulting seal.Further, a connector end of the connector neck seal portion 17 whichtransitions into the bulkhead seal 20 provides a ready pull surface formomentarily stretching the connector neck seal portion 17 over thecoupling nut 24 during installation and then aligning the connector neckseal portion 17 into position. The bulkhead seal 20 also providesadditional seal surface area and may further operate to bias theconnector neck seal portion 17, between the cable end of the couplingnut 25 and the bulkhead surface 22, into sealing engagement with theneck 21. For ease of grip, the bulkhead seal 20 may be provided with anouter diameter greater than an outer diameter of the connector sealportion 17, for example equal to or greater than an outer diameter ofthe coupling nut cavity portion 15.

Additional exterior surface features may be applied to reinforce theseal and/or provide grip surfaces for pulling the seal over theinterconnection 10 and into the longitudinally aligned sealing position.For example as shown in FIGS. 1-5, a plurality of grip fins 27 may beprovided protruding radially from an outer diameter of the seal. Thegrip fins 27 may be aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the seal,extending, for example, between the cable end 7 of the seal and aconnector end of the coupling nut cavity portion 15. Alternatively, thegrip fins may extend between the cable and connector ends of the seal,for example as shown in FIGS. 6-9.

Where two grip fins 27 are applied, the grip fins 27 may be aligned atopposing sides along a longitudinal cross section of the seal, as shownfor example in FIGS. 1 and 2. Where four grip fins 27 are applied, thegrip fins 27 may be arrayed around a circumference of the sealequidistant from one another, for example as shown in FIGS. 3-5.

As shown for example in FIGS. 10-16, the exterior surface features mayalso be applied as grip tabs 29 protruding radially from seal, aligned,for example, transverse to the longitudinal axis. The grip tabs 29 maybe applied, for example, proximate the cable end 7, the connector cavityportion 13, a cable end of the coupling nut cavity portion 15 and/or aconnector end of the coupling nut cavity portion 15. The grip tabs 29may be aligned at opposing sides of the seal and/or arrayed around acircumference of the seal equidistant from one another.

Grip tabs 29 may also be combined with grip fins 27, for example asshown in FIGS. 17-19.

The body 3 may be formed from a unitary portion of material with anelastic characteristic such as injection molded silicone rubber,thermoplastic elastomers, molded closed-cell foam or the like havingsuitable sealing, environmental resistance and stabilitycharacteristics. Thereby, the body 3 has suitable rigidity to maintainthe dimensions of the several portions prior to use while also beingprovided with an elastic property enabling at least the connector neckseal portion 17 to be stretched over the coupling nut 25 of theconnector 19 during installation of the seal over the interconnection10, so that the coupling nut cavity portion 15 is longitudinally alignedwith the coupling nut 25 of the connector 19.

The cable outer diameter seal portion 11 and/or connector neck sealportion 17 may be provided with a smooth cylindrical inner sidewall.Thereby, the contact area between the cable outer diameter seal portion11 and the outer diameter of the cable 29 and/or between the connectorneck seal portion 17 and a neck 21 of the connector interface 23 ismaximized, so that the seal therebetween has the largest possiblecontact area to resist leakage, and any leakage that does occur is notprovided with areas within which liquid may pool along the extent of therespective sealing surfaces. Further, the close contact between the sealand the interconnection along the length of the interconnectionminimizes formation of any cavities within the seal where moisture maypool over time, for example via condensation.

To install a seal over a cable and connector interconnection 10, thebody 3 may be applied over the cable 31 and advanced away from the endof the cable prior to attaching the connector 19 thereto. Alternatively,the body 3 may be stretched to enable insertion of the connector 19 withthe cable 29 already attached through the bore 5. Once the connector 19is coupled to the desired connection interface 23, such as the bulkheadconnector of an antenna or the like (see FIGS. 9 and 13), the connectorneck seal portion 17 may be stretched over the coupling nut 25 of theconnector 19 to seal against the neck 21 of the connection interface 23and the bulkhead seal 20 against the bulkhead surface 22, if present.Thereby the interconnection of the cable 31 to the connection interface23 is environmentally sealed both at the cable to connectorinterconnection and also at the connector to connector interfaceinterconnection via a single body 3.

The presence of the grip fins 27 and or grip tabs 29 may assist thestretching of the seal for installation and/or removal by providingready grip surfaces as each portion of the seal is advanced over theinterconnection 10. Because the grip fins 27 and/or grip tabs 29 have alimited circumferential extent, they do not inhibit deformation of thevarious portions of the seal for momentary stretching/advancement overthe interconnection 10.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the relative dimensions ofthe cable 31 and, for example, connector 19 with respect to theterminating connection interface 23 are exemplary, only. Alternatively,a larger cable and corresponding connector may terminate upon acomparatively small connection interface 23.

The body 3 may be manufactured, for example by injection molding, fromone of a liquid injection molded silicone rubber, liquid siliconerubber, thermoplastic elastomer and molded closed-cell foam. Elasticproperties of these materials may enable molding without utilizing costprohibitive collapsing core mold portions. Further, aligning the gripfins 27 and/or grip tabs 29 with the mold separation plane may simplifymold separation and/or minimize the appearance of any edge flash thatmay be present.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the seals bring to the artan improved seal useful, for example, for re-useable sealing of bulkheadtype interconnections of standard connector interfaces. The resultingseals may further enable significant manufacturing and/or installationefficiencies.

Table of Parts 3 body 5 bore 7 cable end 9 connector end 10interconnection 11 cable outer diameter seal portion 13 connector cavityportion 15 coupling nut cavity portion 17 connector neck seal portion 19connector 20 bulkhead seal 21 neck 22 bulkhead surface 23 connectorinterface 25 coupling nut 27 grip fin 29 grip tab 31 cable

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to ratios,integers, components or modules having known equivalents then suchequivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofthe embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been describedin considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details, representativeapparatus, methods, and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departurefrom the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.Further, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modificationsmay be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A seal for a cable and connector interconnection,comprising: a unitary elastic body with a bore therethrough; the boreprovided with a cable outer diameter seal portion at a cable end, thecable outer diameter seal portion adjacent a connector cavity portion,the connector cavity portion adjacent a coupling nut cavity portion, thecoupling nut cavity portion adjacent a connector neck seal portion and abulkhead seal provided at a connector end; the coupling nut cavityportion longitudinally aligned with a coupling nut of the connector andprovided with a greater inner diameter than the connector neck sealportion; and the bulkhead seal provided with an outer diameter greaterthan an outer diameter of the connector neck seal portion; the sealfurther comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending grip finsprotruding radially from an outer diameter of the body, wherein the gripfins do not span the outer diameter of the connector neck seal portion.2. The seal of claim 1, wherein two of the grip fins are aligned atopposing sides along a longitudinal cross section of the seal.
 3. Theseal of claim 1, wherein the plurality of grip fins is four grip fins,the grip fins arrayed around the body of the seal equidistant from oneanother.
 4. The seal of claim 1, further including grip tabs protrudingradially from the seal, the grip tabs aligned transverse to alongitudinal axis of the seal.
 5. The seal of claim 4, wherein the griptabs are proximate one of the cable end, the connector cavity portion, acable end of the coupling nut cavity portion and a connector end of thecoupling nut cavity portion.
 6. The seal of claim 5, wherein there aretwo grip tabs at opposing sides of the seal proximate one of theconnector cavity portion, the cable end of the coupling nut cavityportion and the connector end of the coupling nut cavity portion.
 7. Theseal of claim 5, wherein there are four grip tabs arrayed around acircumference of the seal equidistant from one another proximate one ofthe connector cavity portion, the cable end of the coupling nut cavityportion and the connector end of the coupling nut cavity portion.
 8. Theseal of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the bulkhead seal isequal to or greater than an outer diameter of the coupling nut cavityportion.
 9. The seal of claim 1, wherein the cable outer diameter sealportion is provided with a smooth cylindrical inner sidewall.
 10. Theseal of claim 1, wherein the coupling nut cavity portion is providedwith a greater inner diameter than the cable outer diameter sealportion.
 11. The seal of claim 1, wherein the connector cavity portionis provided with a single inner diameter between the cable outerdiameter seal portion and the coupling nut cavity portion.
 12. The sealof claim 1, wherein the body is self supporting, maintaining a dimensionof the cable outer diameter seal portion, the connector cavity portionand the coupling nut cavity portion prior to installation.
 13. The sealof claim 1, wherein the cable outer diameter seal portion and theconnector cavity portion have a first common longitudinal axis, andwherein the coupling nut cavity portion and the bulkhead seal have asecond common longitudinal axis.
 14. The seal of claim 13, wherein thefirst longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are collinear.